Ben Long

Bawled my eyes out (in a good way!) tonight @operzuerich hearing my first La Rondine… @ErmonelaJaho and @ben_bernheim leading a cast on fire, giving us every emotion imaginable. Fabulous evening and so glad to have got a last minute return! – at Zurich, Switzerland

Will I ever hear a performance of Mahler 8 as good as the one I heard tonight @bay_staatsoper? The work simply flew by under Kirill Petrenko, with the amassed forces gleaming in this glorious acoustic. The soloists too - phwoar! Very, very lucky to have been there at #bso500. – at Munich, Bavaria

And a great Daphne it was too, for my first time seeing the work! Lovely to see you there :) – at Jena, Germany

Laden with more luggage than normal, for a trip much longer than normal - it’s time to start my Study Abroad adventure @UniJena. A massive challenge, but with so many opportunities (and so much valued culture…!) along the way to seize I can’t wait to get going.

Fabulous evening with some @UniYorkGandS pals tonight seeing the @charlescourt Mikado @arcolatheatre - we absolutely loved it! Such an enjoyable, funny evening all round. – at Dalston, England

Over two remarkable evenings, I’ve heard some of the finest music ever written, played with such dedication it just had to succeed. The @bay_staatsoper certainly celebrated its 500th birthday in style @BarbicanCentre - danke für zwei unvergessliche Abende!

Back at the Barbican for the first time this season to ascend a towering edifice… No, not Cromwell tower but instead the alps of Bavaria in Strauss’s Eine Alpensinfonie with the Bayerische Staatsorchester! – at Islington, London

After my latest trip away (returning armed with a new tote bag) normal service has resumed… snaffled a last minute return for the @RoyalOperaHouse Das Rheingold tonight! So looking forward to hearing the piece with full orchestra for the first time. – at Watton at Stone, East

I think I’m a bit late to the party but boy did @SirSimonRattle’s Mahler 9 tonight @Enescu_Festival with @londonsymphony run the gamut of emotions. A performance I’ll remember for an awfully long time and that left me lost for words - a fitting end to his time as music director. – at Bucharest, Romania

First time @SbgFestival yesterday for @BerlinPhil - such attention to detail lavished on Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben and Reger’s Mozart Variations by Petrenko and the Berliners. – at Gablitz, Österreich

Not sure on the ice cream cone condition (massive crack in the side) but it was welcome refreshment on the way to Semele at Glyndebourne today - Looking forward to my first Handel opera perfomance!

Can confirm that with a judicious run down to the farthest picnic tents, I managed to stay dry… the opera cheered me up no end though - a great way to end my 22-23 season! – at Watton at Stone, East

Off to @GarsingtonOpera for my first experience of Smetana’s Bartered Bride - will the weather hold? As I’ve trekked across London with the umbrella, I’m sure it will now…😂 Regardless, I’m looking forward to a cheery evening at the opera!

Keeping it classy on the way to Glyndebourne…😂 Very excited to be seeing Carmelites tonight! – at London, England

Goodness me - I think the chorus needed a sit down in acts 3 and 4 after all the rushing about in the first two… don’t think there was a ever a moment where the stage was still! Very much enjoyed my first Bohème!

Excited for my first (and only!) trip this year to @operahollandpk for my first La Bohème tonight. My first Puccini opera ever was Le Villi at OHP last year - if that’s anything to go by, it’ll be a fab evening! – at Watton at Stone, East

With some bad double booking by me, I have a ticket I can’t use for tonight’s Marriage of Figaro at Royal Opera House - thought I’d offer here if anyone here could make use of it? – at Watton at Stone, East

Over the last three days, for my 21st, I’ve been inspired by @RegentsOpera’s Walküre, entertained by @glyndebourne’s Donizetti and touched by @RoyalOperaHouse’s Wozzeck. Such a variety but accessible to student me - who could possibly want to let this go …?

It’s tough for UK music now but the @Opera_North 23/24 season preview gave reason to be cheerful. Innovation in sustainability, a focus on ensemble casting & all coupled to 7 fantastic works (my fav included!) means I’ll have to take @GarryWalker74’s advice and “Keep Coming”!🎉 – at Leeds, England